Wesley is less well known, even among Methodists, as one of the great theologians. Wesleyan theology is
grace theology: free grace, prevenient grace, accepting grace, sustaining grace. This week and next
week, as we examine God’s graciousness, we’re also going to take a look at grace theology.

The root idea of chanan “be gracious” is to bend or stoop to be kind to an inferior.
“Grace” is a kindness or favor. So the first thing to know about God’s graciousness is that it is
something that is shown by a superior (God) to an inferior (you or me). Grace is not an exchange
between equals.

Numbers 6:24-26 (my modernization of the King James Version)
24 The LORD bless you, and keep you;
25 The LORD make His face to shine upon you, and chanan be gracious unto you;
26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

It is free in all to whom it is given. It does not depend on any power or merit in man; no, not in any degree, neither in whole, nor in part. It does not in anywise depend either on the good works or righteousness of the receiver; not on anything he has done, or anything he is. It does not depend on his endeavors. It does not depend on his good tempers, or good desires, or good purposes and intentions; for all these flow from the free grace of God; they are the streams only, not the fountain. They are the fruits of free grace, and not the root. They are not the cause, but the effects of it. Whatsoever good is in man, or is done by man, God is the author and doer of it. Thus is his grace free in all; that is, no way depending on any power or merit in man, but on God alone, who freely gave us his own Son, and "with him freely giveth us all things.

So we don’t earn grace and can’t earn grace. That’s fine, because God’s supply of grace never runs out, it only runs into us and through us, issuing forth in good works.

Neh. 9:16-17, 31-32 (English Standard Version)
16-17 "But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.

31 Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a channun gracious and merciful God.

32 "Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day.

In Sermon 43, which takes as its text Ephesians 2:8, John Wesley lays out the idea of “preventing” or “prevenient” grace:

The very words of the text itself put this beyond all question: "Ye are saved." It is not something at a distance: it is a present thing; a blessing which, through the free mercy of God, ye are now in possession of. Nay, the words may be rendered, and that with equal propriety, "Ye have been saved": so that the salvation which is here spoken of might be extended to the entire work of God, from the first dawning of grace in the soul, till it is consummated in glory. … If we take this in its utmost extent, it will include all that is wrought in the soul by what is frequently termed "natural conscience," but more properly, "preventing grace"; --all the drawings of the Father; the desires after God, which, if we yield to them, increase more and more; --all that light wherewith the Son of God "enlighteneth every one that cometh into the world;" showing every man "to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God"; --all the convictions which His Spirit, from time to time, works in every child of man…. [bold italics added]

The modern definition of “prevent” is “to keep from happening.” Wesley is using an older (now archaic) definition: “to come before; precede.” God’s grace comes into our lives before we know God, and without it we would have no way of coming to know God.

Psalms 145 (King James Version)
1 David's Psalm of praise.
I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.
8 The LORD is channun gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

St. John’s United Methodist Church,
“Transforming Lives
Through Christ.”
2626 Arizona NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
Traditional worship services are held Sundays at 8:15 and
11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Casual worship services are held Sundays at
9:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center.
Jazz Vespers are held monthly on the second Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. St. John’s feels especially called to the worship of God and to the service of our neighbors through our music program.